Author Archive for: bill

Our show last night at the Living Arts Center was an absolute joy to have such wonderful musicians backing me. We had 160 seats sold and the response was overwhelming. Of course it was all about the new CD and the songs etc. but in the end it really was all about the band and the presentation. Don Reed and Roly Platt blew people away and with guys like Gary Taylor , Rodney St. Amand and Tom Leighton on board the fun factor went off the scale. Thanks to all the guys (and Juanita Wilkins) for all the rehearsals and great work on Idle Never More. Hope to post further gigs with The Northern Comfort Band.

Tickets are now on sale for Bill’s official CD release concert in The RBC Theater at The Living Arts Center in Mississauga. The date is Sat. Oct. 18, 2014. The theater holds 350 and there are 80 seats on the floor. They are now licensed so they make those seats 20 tables of 4, sort of pub style , so keep that in mind if you are buying multiple tickets.

Bill will be performing with The Northern Comfort Band, a 6 pc. band who currently in studio recoding his new CD. Tom Leighton, keys and accordion, Gary Taylor, drums, Rodney St. Amand, bass, Roly Platt, harmonica, yet to be announced fiddle player and of course Bill on guitars and vocals. You’ll be treated to music from Bill’s new CD and past recordings as well some great cover songs and feature performances from the band members. All in all, it’s going to be a PARTY.

The CD has 13 tracks including an arrangement of “A Highland Lullaby” written by Bill’s grandfather, Canadian composer George Coutts. There are 7 originals by Bill and 3 from participating musicians Tom Leighton, Roly Platt and Gary Taylor. There are also 2 covers. One from everyone’s favourite songwriter/guitarist/funny man Wendell Ferguson and a down home cover of the Lucille Starr hit, The French Song.

This song was a gift. I finished it and recorded it the day of the competition deadline. I’ve had a lot of well-wishing responses to my announcement. Thank you everyone. Here is my demo version. It is only 2 guitar tracks and some BG vocals so it is a good representation of the song without additional production. Just FYI, I obviously wrote this with the 1st Nations Idle Never More movement in mind. The 1st 4 lines are First Nations story or song titles. Enjoy.

IDLE NEVER MORE

Music and lyrics: Bill Candy

Copyright Candycon Music 2013. SOCAN

The Talking Stone, The Raven Steals The Night

The White Panther Tale, The Song Of The Hermit Thrush

These are the words of the Elders, keepers of the land

From the Eastern Woodland Nation, to The Northern Yukon Clan

They echo all the stories, in dances and song

That we’re all one with nature, but there’s something that’s gone wrong

Playing for Kit Chapman and her husband Bob at their house concert last night was a real treat and was everything a house concert should be. In this case it was disguised as a birthday/retirement party for Kit with about 40 invited guests. Normally there would be a cover to pay for the performer but this was pre-negotiated so the performance was a gift to the guests. They had hors d’heurves and wine and beer for the initial mingle where I played 45 mins. of background music. Kit then gave a warm introduction and I played 1 hr. and 15 mins. to wonderful audience. If you ever decide to do a house concert you will find it’s a win, win, win for the host, the guests and the performer. Check out my house concert page on my web site. Hope to be playing at your house some day.

I’m very excited about my new site. Thanks to Roly Platt at www.platypusdesign.ca . My site is current, neat and tidy and the best thing is I can manage it myself. No excuse now to keep things up to date. Drop in from time to time to see what’s new and exciting in BILLCANDYLAND.

Testimonials:

“Bill Candy’s music has been an important element in many of our high-end Incentive programmes. Bill has entertained a variety of our European corporate clients ranging from Minolta, Opel Switzerland, the Austrian Ambassador, Glaxo Wellcome Pharmaceutical, Air Canada, Switzerland etc. Whether in elegant venues, 5 Star Restaurants, World Class Resorts and Lodges or during Outdoor activities; Bill Candy’s musical versatility and interaction with the audience have always made a hugely positive event. Our clients always request encores!! We are thrilled to have him as a solid partner.”Gisela Berchtold
Tour Director, Jonview Canada